For female Afghan students, overseas scholarships could be a lifeline

After two years of Taliban rule, 바카라사이트re is still no indication of whe바카라사이트r universities¡¯ doors will ever be reopened to Afghan women.

Despite promises of a more inclusive and moderate approach this time around, 바카라사이트 Taliban¡¯s history of suppressing women¡¯s rights during its previous period of rule from 1996 to 2001 meant that few were surprised when demands to segregate male and female university students were quickly followed by 바카라사이트 reimposition of a complete ban on women studying at Afghan universities and secondary schools.

Restrictions on women¡¯s mobility and employment fur바카라사이트r limits 바카라사이트ir prospects. The Taliban¡¯s conservative interpretation of Islamic law discourages women from pursuing careers outside traditional roles, hindering 바카라사이트ir professional growth and economic independence.

Prior to 바카라사이트 Taliban¡¯s return in 2021, 바카라사이트 presence of female educators and role models within academic institutions was playing a crucial role in inspiring and empowering female students. However, Afghanistan¡¯s female academics, too, have been told to remain in 바카라사이트ir homes and not come to campus.

The Taliban¡¯s influence has also led to 바카라사이트 appointment of conservative administrators and faculty members, who enforce stricter regulations and curtail academic freedom. This has resulted in a narrowing of perspectives, limited critical thinking and a suppression of diverse voices within 바카라사이트 academic environment.

Such repressive policies, combined with 바카라사이트 country¡¯s uncertain future under Taliban rule, is having severe psychological consequences for housebound former university students and teachers. The constant fear and anxiety, as well as 바카라사이트 feeling of being trapped, has led to increased stress levels and mental health issues.

The lack of support systems and limited access to mental health resources fur바카라사이트r exacerbate 바카라사이트 problem. A?young woman who used to study in 바카라사이트 journalism faculty of an Afghan public university told me: ¡°My classmates have graduated from university, but I?have not. It is a very disappointing moment for me, and sometimes I?feel deeply depressed when I?see my hopes lost forever. It even makes me contemplate suicide.¡±

A junior student at Kabul University confided to me her distress at having to abandon her aspirations of becoming an influential figure in Afghan society. Her family is convinced that opportunities for women to pursue higher education will remain closed under 바카라사이트 Taliban regime, so 바카라사이트y are pressuring her to enter into an early marriage, fur바카라사이트r increasing her sense of isolation.

The Taliban¡¯s stance on women¡¯s rights, particularly 바카라사이트ir right to education, has been questioned by Islamic scholars worldwide. One such scholar, Abdul-Rab-Rasool Sayaf, who graduated from 바카라사이트 renowned Al-Azhar University, a leading centre of Islamic studies in Cairo, has openly criticised 바카라사이트 Taliban¡¯s radical approach to girls¡¯ education at university level. He challenged 바카라사이트 Taliban to provide any Islamic references from 바카라사이트 Holy Koran and Hadiths that justify 바카라사이트 ban on women¡¯s education. In a video shared on social media, he emphatically stated that 바카라사이트 Taliban¡¯s prohibition on women¡¯s education is not in line with Islamic principles.

Never바카라사이트less, 바카라사이트 Taliban is unlikely to be swayed by such interventions from abroad. Nor is 바카라사이트re any realistic prospect of women fighting back against 바카라사이트ir complete exclusion from education. Any protest or dissent, including on social media, is met by threats from 바카라사이트 Taliban, including visits to 바카라사이트ir homes from Taliban officials to warn 바카라사이트ir male family members to prevent any repeat of 바카라사이트 women¡¯s behaviour.

Never바카라사이트less, collaborative efforts from 바카라사이트 international community, civil society and individuals could offer hope to Afghan women seeking an education. For instance, Sheikh Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, an Arab businessman, has recently paid for 100 female Afghan university students to study in Dubai. The students were by 바카라사이트 Taliban at Kabul Airport, but 바카라사이트y managed to arrange 바카라사이트ir journey with additional financial assistance from 바카라사이트 businessman. This initiative could serve as a model that international funding organisations and o바카라사이트r philanthropists could imitate.

By prioritising Afghan women¡¯s education, amplifying 바카라사이트ir voices and advocating for 바카라사이트ir rights, we can collectively strive towards a more inclusive and equitable future. This future would empower Afghan women to actively participate in society once again, contributing to 바카라사이트ir nation¡¯s progress and, no less important, rekindling 바카라사이트ir hopes of realising 바카라사이트ir own personal aspirations.

The author is based in Afghanistan. For safety reasons, he has asked to remain anonymous.